Simple Pleasures, Everyday Joie de Vivre.

Photo by  rawpixel  on  Unsplash Making the switch from processed flour and pasta isn't noticable at first, but then you find the point where you get rid of that twinkie effect and your energy is more sustainable so, you will feel more stable. You will also prevent getting sugar diabetes and, it is more filling. Beating the twinkie effect involves cutting down on sugar and processed foods, including changing your bread, flour, cakes and biscuits to wholemeal and wholegrain varieties. The three recipes that follow are made from natural foods based on the mediterranean diet. They are also almost instant recipes that take little preperation and short cooking times, completely suitable for hectic week-nights and singles. Cans of beans can keep in the cupboard for long periods as can packets of uncooked rice and lentils. But if you use the uncooked variety the recipe will take longer. I hope you find these recipes tasty and healthy. Please use organic pro...

Photo by  Tommy Lisbin  on  Unsplash It’s not all about the result, it’s about the journey Being productive and accomplishing things is one of our biggest challenges, and can make us feel really good about ourselves. Nobody's going to feel that great with a grimey kitchen and a full ashtray on the coffee table, in a pipe dream surrounding success. I've been there and it isn't pretty! Prioritising your activities is a way to help you work smarter not necessarily harder. Try these techniques for getting what is important done and out of the way. To Do List . Write a to-do list for the day. Try to numerically order it in terms of importance. Rewrite it, then tick things off as you go. Grid Use this grid to block off your time. You can use it for your main tasks every-day, or you can change it from day to day. Important and Urgent Urgent but not Important Important but not Urgent Not Urgent or Important Work Backwards Work b...

Photo by  Nathan Dumlao  on  Unsplash Photo by  rawpixel  on  Unsplash 'They who have attained perfection, are those who take joy in their work'. Bhaghavad Gita The Tao, means life-force, energy and the universe beyond. It also means the way, or path. Therefore ones vocation is also called their Tao. It is important that you face up to and accept your personal tao. It reflects your chosen vocation, what you are really good and a career path that you can follow and grow. If you already know your tao, then great! Keep going! If you are just working to pay the bills and you dislike your job, getting on the right path might be a bit trickier. If you are unemployed but have other means, it could be as simple as sitting down from 9-5 to paint, write, program, design etc. Then you will be surprised at how everything falls into place. Otherwise maybe your parents can support you while you get on your feet. Or you could support you...

Sport “Previously I always thought it was just tactical and technique, but every match has become almost mental and physical—I try to push myself to move well. I try to push myself not to get upset and stay positive, and that's what my biggest improvement is over all those years. Under pressure I can see things very clear”.               Roger Federer (Tennis star), Post match press conference after winning Dubai Open 2007 The Australian Sports Association recommends that people get at least half an hour of moderate exercise (such as walking or wheeling your chair) at least five times a week. But at the same time around half of all people worldwide do not get enough exercise. Physical exercise does all of the following: Enhances fitness Increases strength Hones Athletic skills Boosts the immune system Improves symptoms of depression Increases mental health and well being Enhance...

Everyone should understand what a balanced diet is, it consists of eating the five food groups in moderation. Fad diets where they cut out one of the food groups is not reccomended . The only 'true' diet you can go on is to lose and maintain weight that is safe and actually works is to eat a balanced diet, and smaller servings. Balanced diets are more filling. This blog endorses the mediterranean diet. Which is a five food group diet with some specifics added such as olive oil and beans. The peasant diet of the mediterranean is known to make people be healthier and live longer than other parts of the world. Remember, it is not all about your weight, it is also about nutrition. A mediterranean diet consists of, eating simple wholefoods. Including, fish; olive oil, dairy in moderation; large servings of fruit, veggies; legumes and nuts; protein from beans; no processed foods; wholegrains such as brown rice and wholemeal flour; skip the sugar; drink a little red wine; da...

Photo by  Chris Geirman  on  Unsplash "Joy, can be a joy of conversation, joy of eating, joy of anything one might do… And joie de vivre may be seen as a joy of everything, a comprehensive joy, a philosophy of life, a Weltanschauung (Worldview)  Robert's Dictionnaire says joie is sentiment exaltant ressenti par toute la conscience , that is, it involves one's whole being”. The foundations of the philosophy behind this blog are simplicity and joie de vivre, the French phrase that literally translates into English as the joy of living. The phrase is used to describe cheerfulness of life. This philosophy rests on the premise that having some simple basics in place in life such as eating healthily, exercising regularly and a joyful attitude is all you really need no matter what your particular walk in life is. More Joy Quotes 'Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls'. - Mother Theresa. 'One joy shatters a hundred griefs'. - ...

For this edition, we are going to look at some joy quotes. If you are happy, then may these make you happier. If you are unhappy, you will need to change. You have to change your attitude. You have to keep a positive attitude. So keep these quotes on hand, and approach life differently, so that you can enjoy the journey, and get the results you want. 'Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened'.  Dr Suess. 'I don't think of all the misery. But of all the beauty that remains'.  Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl.  'Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy'. Thicc Naht Hanh.  'Sorrow prepares you for joy, it sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the boughs of your heart. So that fresh green leaves can grow in their place, it pulls up the rotton roots. So that new roots that are...